Season 01/02 - November

Tottenham could face FA charges - 18/11/2001

Source: Reuters

Tottenham Hotspur FC could face FA charges after some of their fans' behaviour during the 1-1 draw with Arsenal FC, the Sun states. The police and referee Jeff Winter will submit the FA chiefs some reports and then the FA will take a decision whether to charge the club. Bottles were thrown on former Arsenal and present Tottenham defender Sol Campbell during the whole spell of the match. Several Spurs fans also pelted the Gunners team bus with bottles and cans as it left the ground. The fans even threw glasses and bottles on Tottenham coach Glenn Hoddle. FA spokesman Paul Newman reflected upon the situation saying: "We will await the reports from the referee, other match officials and the police before deciding whether any action is appropriate. "We will be looking at events in and around the ground."

Spurs fans punish bottle throwers - 19/11/2001

Source: Reuters

Tottenham fans' leaders have demanded the thugs who pelted the Arsenal team bus with dozens of glasses and bottles be brought to book by the White Hart Lane club. As the Gunners coach - containing ex-Spurs captain Sol Campbell - left the north London ground at 6pm after Saturday's Premiership derby, it was attacked by supporters hurling objects from a pub beer garden next to the club's car park. Campbell was also subjected to ferocious abuse and hit by a bottle during the 1-1 draw. The police report on the match - to be handed to the Football Association - is likely to focus on the shameful post-match incident. Tottenham Hotspur Supporters' Trust spokesman Wynne said: "It's not good and doesn't help the club or anyone else. "They were obviously not Trust members. I hope the club will be able to track them down and take the appropriate action - which we would support. "On the pitch, Sol Campbell got the expected verbal abuse. The fact that something was thrown at him was not pleasing. It is very disappointing that happened - but the majority of Spurs fans were not doing anything like that. "I think he handled himself very well, and the verbal abuse didn't affect his game. The chanting of 'Judas' was expected by him and both clubs. I'm glad that, by and large, it didn't exceed that." The FA yesterday confirmed they will look into "events in and around the ground". The governing body is expected to release a further statement tomorrow or Wednesday.

Ferdinand enraged over Spurs fans attack - 19/11/2001

Source: Reuters

Spurs player Les Ferdinand was furious at Tottenham fans who assaulted Arsenal bus after the Saturday's Premiership clash held at White Hart Lane. The club supporters attacked the Arsenal bus with bottles and cans after the bus left 75 minutes after the match as well as during the 1-1 draw. "It shouldn't be like that. That's just not what football is all about," said Ferdinand. "It was pretty hostile out there. I suppose it was what everybody expected from the fans - and in that respect they didn't let anyone down, did they? "We expected what happened on the pitch - but nobody expected them to chuck stuff at the coach," added the Spurs player. Meanwhile, the FA is still waiting for a response from the match officials.
"We will await the reports from the referee, other match officials and the police before deciding whether any action is appropriate," stated FA spokesman Paul Newman.

Trouble in Montevideo after World Cup defeat - 20/11/2001

Source: Reuters

Uruguay's 0-1 World Cup defeat at the hands of Australia in Melbourne Tuesday got an angry reception back home with 20 people injured and 74 people arrested before and during the match. Thirty thousand Uruguayan supporters gathered in the city centre to watch the match on television, but the atmosphere turned nasty even before the match got underway in the early hours of the morning. Cars were burned, shops were wrecked and police officers attacked in the disturbances. "Luckily there were no serious injuries," said assistant police commissioner Jose Pedro Delgado. Police said that fighting began before the kick-off during a concert which was organised to keep the public awake and animated before the early morning match. Delgado said that police reinforcements were called in to bring what was a pitched battle under control at 05:00 local time (08:00 GMT), an hour before the match against Australia. The outbreaks were sparked when a small truck plunged into the thousands of supporters, and angry fans dragged the driver from the vehicle setting it on fire. The incident led to the oubreak of fighting among the crowd who had consumed a lot of alcohol with bottles broken, shops looted and cars destroyed. "We have identified and brought to justice the perpretrators of the fires on the truck and motorbike," said Delgado. Interior Minister Guillermo Stirling denounced the incidents. "These things leave us with a feeling of sadness and great disappointment. It was violence for the sake of violence. That's our main concern," he added.

Dutch game banned - 22/11/2001

Source: a dutch fans website

The mayor of Groningen has refused that the Amstel cup game, opposing Groningen to Zwolle will be played the 12th December at 19.30, as this game is considerated as a high-risks one. The game will be played the 20th January at 14.30.

Uruguay apologizes for Australia reception - 22/11/2001

Source: Reuters

Uruguay has apologised for the hostile reception the Socceroos received when they arrived in Montevideo for the next leg of their World Cup mission. The Socceroos have demanded better security after several players were spat on by a volatile crowd waiting at the airport and one was punched and another kicked as they moved from the airport to their team bus.
A spokesman for Foreign Minister Alexander Downer said Mr Downer had spoken to Uruguayan ambassador Pablo Sader and he had expressed his regret at the incident. Mr Sader had spoken to his own foreign minister and the deputy chief of police in Montevideo, and he promised security would be upgraded. "Security has been stepped up at the team's hotel, and enhanced security will be in place for training sessions and the match itself," the spokesman said. "The ambassador stressed the incident at the airport was the responsibility of a tiny minority, and the overwhelming majority of Uruguayans welcomed the visit by the Socceroos."
Mr Sader, speaking to ABC radio about the incident, said: "We have been playing international games like this for over a century and an episode like this one never happened before. "Ours is a very peaceful and peace loving country and we don't have a history or tradition of hooliganism."
Mr Downer's office said the Australian ambassador to Argentina, Sharyn Minahan, and two other embassy staff were travelling to Montevideo to liaise with Uruguayan authorities.

Cagliari - Ancona - 23/11/2001

Source: Tifonet

Prior to the game, riots broke down, opposing local fans to carabinieri. Local fans tried to attack the 70 Ancona fans who made the transfer (last season Ancona fans stolen a Cagliari banner). Two fans were arrested and riots occured for 15 minutes. Fifteen Cagliari ultras were arrested after severe riots occured after the game. Ancona fans were escorted by special police forces to the Elmas airport were they stayed under protection of police.

Palermo - Genoa - 23/11/2001

Source: Tifonet

At the end of the 1st time, when Palermo scored the 3-0, Genoa players contested the goal and provoked local fans. These last ones threw missiles into the pitch.

Swindon Town - Brighton & Hove Albion - 24/11/2001

Source: BBC

The train carrying Brighton supporters was vandalised and had to be taken out of service. Fans were transferred to another train but this was also vandalised.

Uruguyans stress need to be good hosts to Australia - 21/11/2001

Source: Reuters

The Uruguayan people have a duty to act as good hosts to Australia for Sunday's World Cup playoff second leg between the two countries, the Uruguayan foreign ministry said late Friday. Uruguay has been at pains to ensure the tightest of security for the match which will determine the final qualifier of the 32 teams who will take part at next summer's finals in Japan and South Korea. The ministry underlined its concerns after rowdy fans jostled and jeered the Australians on arrival at Carrasco airport on Wednesday. Uruguayan football federation president Eugenio Figueredeo issued a hasty apology, called the perpetrators professional thugs and assured the Australians that security would be beefed up with 800 police officers at the stadium. Australia coach Frank Farina described the incident as disgusting and uncivilized. A ministry statement said the Uruguayan people had a duty to "make this event a great sporting fiesta and maintain the greatest respect and traditional hospitality of the Uruguayans towards the Australian delegation in an atmosphere of healthy sporting competition."
The statement added: "The good name and international standing of the Republic abroad must not be tarnished by a tiny group of fanatics who do not represent the feelings of the great majority of the Uruguayan people."
In addition, the ministry said the two countries "are united by strong and deep-seated links of friendship while we have many common interests with Australia, a country which displayed great generosity in opening its doors to our compatriots as today there is a sizeable colony of Uruguayans over there."
The Uruguayans have been striving to repair their image after the storm over the scenes which met the Australians on their arrival. The Uruguayan interior ministry and senior police officials added they had beefed up security for the match and drawn up contingency plans to crack down on any troublemakers.

Tottenham Hotspurs - West Ham United - 24/11/2001

Source: BBC

West Ham fans gathered first at Victoria before leaving for Whitechapel where they charged a pub only to find it empty. Later in the evening police prevented them from confronting Tottenham in another pub.

Charlton Athletic - Southampton - 24/11/2001

Source: BBC

About 50 Charlton fans entered a pub full of Southampton supporters and a fight broke out. The group from Charlton were given an escort to the ground where there were further outbreaks of fighting. A group of Charlton fans left before the end of the game and confronted home supporters outside the ground. There were further outbreaks of disorder at the station.

RSC Charleroi - FC Bruges - 25/11/2001

Source: mail

As the last game opposing these teams was really violent, police forces were affraid of a new day of violence. Many rumours took place the week before the game. The day of it, local lads (+-40/50) were waiting at their pub a phone-call of Bruges lads, with the aim to have a toe-to-toe. All the week, visitors said they came by cars. Finally, locals were surprised to see that they (+-90) came by...train - so, who say train means, no chance of riots - (1 hour before kick-off they said they were by cars ??). They left the station escorted by gendarms. At the end of the game,there was only a fight opposing about 15 BCF'ers (who came by cars) to 15/20 locals. Cavalry restored order. The main group of BCF'ers took its train without making something.

Algerian fans get suspended jail sentences - 26/11/2001

Source: AFP

Three Algerian soccer fans received suspended prison sentences and barred from attending football matches for three years by a court here Monday for a pitch invasion during last month's friendly between France and Algeria. The October 6 international at Stade de France was the first game between the two countries since Algeria's independence from French rule in 1962 and was abandoned after thousands of youths invaded the pitch with 15 minutes left to play. Arab Yamiaoui, 18, and Karim Bab, 25, both received suspended jail sentences of five months, and 22-year-old Farouk Amerniss, a three-month suspended sentence. All three were barred from Stade de France for three years. The French Football Federation (FFF) was reprimanded and fined 84,800 euros (77,000 dollars) by world governing body FIFA on Wednesday for the pitch invasion. Seventeen people were arrested during the politically sensitive match after fans began to throw bottles, seating and pieces of wood from the stands as riot police surrounded the turf. The players, who were not threatened by the fans, were ordered to the locker rooms. Minutes after the interruption, it was decided to call the match off though the scenes appeared exuberant rather than violent

Rijeka - Hajduk Split - 28/11/2001

Source: Reuters

On Wednesday the Croatian police stopped the violence successfully during the Croatian first division match between Rijeka and Hajduk Split. Hundreds of Rijeka's fans tried to enter the pitch violently in the 88th minute after two players of their beloved team were sent off and Hajduk got the lead 2-1. The match was interrupted for fifteen minutes. As a result of the clash between the fans and the policemen one person was reportedly injured. Commenting on the match and the atmosphere around it Rijeka's captain Andre Mijatovic said: “We must to stop this kind of messes. This is not a football.”

Paris SG - Marseille - 29/11/2001

Source: mail

As usual one of the most prominent ties of the French championship PSG v Olympique Marseille was somehow dimmed by the skirmishes that broke out in the Parc des Princes area. Despite taken precautions (1,000 policemen were summoned to insure the security), incidents marred the match. Fourty-four people, including a policeman, were injured, and fifteen fans were held by police, the Paris prefecture reported. Meanwhile, in the game, Paris St Germain were held to a goalless draw by Olympique Marseille in a tense French first division match at the Parc des Princes.

Belgian referee attacked - 30/11/2001

Source: Belga

The home of the belgian referee Frans De Bleeckere was assaulted by Gent fans, who were angry of the referee's decisons during the game opposing Gent to Standard. This group of fans threw bottles and other missiles in the direction of the huse, smashing some windows

Ajax Amsterdam - FC Copenhagen - 01/11/2001

Source: Soccer Fans

Before the match all was quite calm when Ajax gathered at the usual place at the north side of the stadium. Suddenly news came in that +- 40 Copenhagen skins were nearby. Ajax lads charged onto the square in front of the stadium finding only some Copenhagen scarvers. Mounted riot police came in and restored order, some arrests were made.
After the match (0-1 loss) Ajax lads again gathered at the northside of the stadium to wait for possible Copenhagen opposition. Before they were found things got way out of hand. Hundreds of supporters bricked the riot police and started fires around the stadium. Damage was estimated in thousands of guilders and it took the police until midnight to restore the order around the stadium. At least seven arrests were made.

Ajax Amsterdam - NAC Breda - 18/11/2001

Source: Soccer Fans

A lot of riotpolice was present as a result of the heavy riots between police and fans after the Copenhagen game. During the game NAC fans seated outside the segregated area cheered for their teams equaliser and started to provoke the F-side. About 50 Ajax where quick enough to make it to this stand, others not that fast tried to force their way through the plexiglass. Riot police came and pushed the fans back into their sections. However, when half time came they were attacked in the back by many of the old Ajax hardcore and had no option but to run away. Eventually they where forced out of the stadium. With the riot police gone the F-side looted the foodcounters etc behind their stand. Cigarettes and paying-cards were looted, all of no value was demolished. Several fires were started inside and outside the stadium. 70 supporters were arrested this day.

Airdrie FC - Partick Thistle - 26/11/2001

Source: Soccer Fans

This is the one everyone was waitng for. After the last encounter where Airdrie took it to them, and did it in style. Everyone expected the Jags to show through here in numbers, and they turned up with 30. WE went there with 70. Today we had about 90. They say we will be at one station w turn up, they say they missed the train. We wait, the police show up. They say they will get off in Airdrie, they get off the one after. What does this say to you.
They seen the size of our mob, and shat it.

AC Sparta Prague - FC Brno 1913 - 11/11/2001

Source: hooligans.cz

100 Brno supporters travelled to this match. After the match Sparta hools waited for their rivals. At first they attacked 5 Brno lads, which were there by car in Prague. After that police escorted main group of visitors with coaches out of the city. A small group (15 persons - 8 hools) went with police escort to the railway station and were left there alone. Brno hools were drinking in the pub, when a group of 22 Sparta hools came. Brno hools came out of the pub and began fair fight with no weapons. Victory for Sparta hools.

Bohemians Prague - AC Sparta Prague - 17/11/2001

Source: hooligans.cz

Half hour before the match a group of 70 armed hooligans (Bohemians + Slavia + Górnik (PL)) went to the stadium. They waited in the pub near by visitors end. Even though there was police from special forces, horses and many police dogs everywhere fight began with about 25 Sparta lads. Glasses were thrown, but police got involved very fast and stopped the fight. 10 arrests were made. The rest of home group goes on to the home end, when they attacked a main group of 50 Sparta hools. Erupted a short fight, but police stopped it once again. One of police horses had broken leg and one of the Bohemians hools was beaten badly. During the match both sides had flares, visitors also smoke bombs as well (they interrupted the match with them). Sparta hools fought during the match against security and police, 25 arrests were made and one Sparta hool ended with broken hand and many peoply were injured. One girl was beaten by police unconsciousness. There were many small fights between rival lads during and after the match too.

SK Slavia Prague - SK Sigma Olomouc - 18/11/2001

Source: hooligans.cz

Before the match a group of 28 Sigma hools were drinking in the pub. They were attacked by 37 Slavia hools. Began really hard fight. Slavia hools had weapons, Sigma thrown glasses, chairs, etc. This fight was 9 minutes long (!!) The pub was totally destroyed and three Sigma hools went to the hospital (one had perforated skull).

FC Banik Ostrava - FC Marila Pribram - 18/11/2001

Source: hooligans.cz

80 young (under 18 ) Banik hools attacked the security during the match. Many security officers were injured. After that the club ended relations with the supporters and the flags on the bars were prohibited.

SFC Opava - FC Brno 1913 - 25/11/2001

Source: hooligans.cz

Strong group of Brno hools together with their friends from Slovan Bratislava (22) travelled to this match. But they didn´t meet home group of hools. This group fought in the pub against a group of Banik Ostrava hools, who were looking for confrontation with both sides.